Favourite pulls out of William Hill Ayr Gold Cup

The betting market for next week’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup was thrown wide open on Monday when connections of favourite Gordon Lord Byron said the horse would bypass Europe’s largest sprint handicap.

The betting market for next week’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup was thrown wide open on Monday when connections of favourite Gordon Lord Byron said the horse would bypass Europe’s largest sprint handicap.

The Irish-trained horse was 10/1 at the time. After the announcement,the sponsors installed four 14/1 joint favourites: Van Ellis, Prodigality, Duke of Firenze and the Jim Goldie-trained Hawkeyethenoo.

All eyes will be on Hawkeyethenoo, with jockey Graham Lee attempting to add an Ayr Gold Cup to a Scottish Grand National win.

Cheviot (20/1) from the Ian Semple yard is also in with a chance, having won a decent handicap at Haydock at the weekend.

For the first time this year the three big sprints – the William Hill Ayr Gold, Silver and Bronze Cups – are run on Saturday, September 22.